“Antichrist,” the Lars Von Trier movie that made a splash at Cannes for being the love it/hate it/really fucking hate it talk of the festival, has apparently been given the go-ahead to screen in English cinemas, uncut (we ran two reviews which were both, aghast and intrigued at the the same time).
The film, which stars Willem Dafoe and Charolette Gainsbourg, came under fire for its graphic sexuality (including penetration) and graphic violence (copious genital mutilation and hammer ball smashing) and its apparent rampant misogyny. While a certifiable hit, both critically and commercially, in Denmark, the Cannes response was decidedly mixed and it’s been a big question mark as to what form it would be released internationally (IFC holds the rights in the United States.)
According to Twitch, the UK distributor Artificial Eye has secured an 18 certificate for the uncut film, and will be headed out to British cinemas intact.
Artificial Eye CEO, Philip Knatchbull has said, “There is no doubt that ‘Antichrist’ is a controversial film but it’s our duty as a distributor to present the works of talented directors such as Lars Von Trier in their original form exactly as the director intended. We fully support the BBFC’s decision to allow people to make up their own minds about this film.”
It’s interesting to see if this decision will spread to other territories. With the IFC Films release here, there has been some talk about presenting an edited version as well as an uncut release (most likely only limited audiences are going to see the full-blown version), but the details have yet to be finessed. It’s worth noting that IFC has that day-and-date program where they release their films simultaneously on cable and in select theaters, and their deal with Blockbuster that gives the video store chain an exclusive 60-day rental window which could complicate a little more. There’s no way in baby jesus’ name that the uncut version of this film is making it to Blockbuster. – Drew Taylor